Dear Parents,
This week the schedule was as such.
Opening Prayers:
* Om Sahanā vavatu śloka
* Om Sree Ganeśaya Namaha, Sree Saraswatyai Namaha, Sree Sat Gurubhyo Namaha.
* Daily prayers (as given in the 'My Prayers' book)
Mahabharata:
Arjuna and Duryodhana enter Dwaraka with the sole purpose of gaining Krishna's favor in the war. While Duryodhana sat by Krishna's sleeping form, Arjuna stood dutifully by his feet, taking in the divine form of his mentor, friend, and cousin. When Krishna awoke, the sight of Arjuna's loving gaze brought a smile and he asked Arjuna what brought him to Dwaraka. But it was Duryodhana who interrupted the moment, objecting that he arrived first and should therefore should be given priority.
Krishna, upon sensing Duryodhana's intentions, informed him that even if Duryodhana had arrived first, it was Arjuna that he saw upon opening his eyes, and also that it was customary to let the younger of the two get preference. When Krishna gave them option between the Narayana Sena of one Akshauhini warriors and the non combattant self, Arjuna fell at Krishna's feet stating that he wanted nothing but his Lord. Hearing this made Duryodhana happy, metaphorically indicating his greed for material wealth and power.
After Duryodhana's departure, Krishna reconfirmed his stance that he would not physically fight in the war, which has Arjuna reveal that he needed Krishna as his charioteer while entering the battlefield, to rid the sinful world of all evil and injustices. And Krishna received the name 'Parthasarathy', literally meaning charioteer to Partha(Arjuna - son of Pritha). While Krishna reveled in Arjuna's loving words, he was also accused by Balarama of showing favor to the Pandavas.
In the process of collecting allies, Duryodhana heard of Salya's (King of Madra and brother of Mādri) march towards Upaplavya to offer his help to the Pandavas. While in a rest area, Salya was provided with refreshments and comforts. Thinking they were provided by his nephews, he stated that he would reward the person that was so thoughtful in deed. Upon hearing this, Duryodhana revealed himself and asked Salya to fight on behalf of the Pandavas.
Salya then continued on his journey to Upaplavya to inform his nephews of the ghastly error. The Pandavas received his news well, but Yudhisthira asked him a favor. Although Salya could not fight on their side, he could, as Karna's charioteer, lower his morale and make him ineffective in his fight against Arjuna. Salya readily agreed to the psychological warfare, and happy to finally be of help to his nephews.
Meanwhile the Brahmin sent by Drupada arrived in Hastinapura. He gave a detailed account of all the injustices meted out to the Pandavas and also stated that the crown was their birthright. This angered Karna who stood up and accused the messenger and also spoke ill of the Pandavas. Unable to withstand such derogatory comments, Bheeshma chided Karna and reminded him of his cowardly act (when he ran from the Virāta battlefield).
Dhritarashtra, in fear, told the Brahmin that he would send Sanjaya with a response in a few days.
Sanjaya arrived in Upaplavya a few days later, with a message that implied unsavory behavior on the part of the Pandavas. While the message seemed like it was praising Yudhisthira, it also seemed to undeniably imply that he was being greedy by asking for material wealth and kingdom. While this angered the Pandavas and all assembled, Sanjaya was worried that the Pandavas would hate him for it. Yudhisthira dispelled that notion, stating that a 'Golden bowl, no matter even if it contains poison does not take those properties, but remains true to its original self'
With a returning message (that atleast 5 cities from the kingdom should be given to the Pandavas), Sanjaya returned to Hastinapura. He was angry with Dhritarashtra and gave him a cryptic message, displaying his displeasure at the King.
This upsets Dhritarashtra, who in a sleepless state, called Vidura. While Vidura responded sarcastically to Dhritarashtra's questions, he also realized that the existential line of questioning was leading to some form of self introspection. In Vidura Neethi, he spoke of what a wise man should be and how a wise king should do; of self control, virtue, and respect among many qualities that a man should possess. When he spoke of the soul, Dhritarashtra asked him to say more. To which Vidura revealed that the eternal Rishi Sanatsujata would be the best person to clear such doubts. Vidura went on to meditate on the Rishi, who appeared and provided clarity to Dhritarashtra.
Bhagavad Gita: Chanted verses 17 and 18 with Swamiji.
Please have the children do their daily prayers regularly and also practice the ślokas and Gita chanting.
See you all on Friday January 29, 2021.
Pranāms,
Viji Lakshmi and Nivedita
Friday Grade 6 sevikas
